Facebook recently announced that Messenger Kids is now available in the Philippines. Messenger Kids is an app designed to allow kids ages 6 to 12 to have fun video chatting and messaging with friends and family in a parent-controlled environment. Parents in the Philippines will be able to download the app from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store today. 

Facebook’s Messenger Kids now in the Philippines

As many communities are managing the response to COVID-19, with schools closed and people practicing physical distancing, parents are turning to technology more than ever to help their kids connect with friends and family, and looking to do so in a parent-controlled way. 

Messenger Kids is a video chat and messaging app that helps kids connect with friends and family in a fun, parent-controlled space. For years, Facebook has been working with Youth Advisors, a team of experts in online safety, child development, and media, to help shape the Messenger Kids app. Facebook also continues to consult child safety advocates and educators to ensure that the Messenger Kids app balances parental control with features that help kids learn how to connect responsibly online.

“Through our work with the Stairway Foundation, the Child Rights Network, and other safety partners in the Philippines, we learned that many Filipino parents are looking for ways to help their children stay in touch with friends and family during this challenging time, in a fun and parent-supervised environment. We hope that Messenger Kids will help them to continue to find ways to have fun, create, and engage with friends and family,” said Amber Hawkes, APAC Head of Safety, Facebook. 

“In a pandemic, children are not able to explore and socialize with friends the way they used to. Experiencing change and restrictions in both learning and play is especially challenging for children. We are glad to see that Messenger Kids has been designed with built-in parental controls and safety in mind, and also fun features that are age-appropriate and encouraging children to stay connected even as they are staying physically apart. We shall continue working with Facebook to help make the platform safe for children,” said Ace Diloy of the Stairway Foundation.

Fun features built for kids 

Messenger Kids is full of features for kids to connect with the people they love. Once their account is set up by a parent, kids can start a one-on-one or group video chat. The home screen shows them at a glance who they are connected with to, and when those contacts are online.

• Playful masks, emojis, and sound effects bring conversations to life.

• In addition to video chat, kids can send photos, videos or text messages to their parent-approved friends and adult relatives, who will receive the messages via their regular Messenger app.

• A library of kid-appropriate and specially chosen GIFs, frames, stickers, masks, and drawing tools lets them decorate content and express their personalities.

• Messenger Kids gives parents more control. Parents manage the contact list and have visibility into how their kids are using the app. Parents control kids’ accounts and contacts through the Messenger Kids Parent Dashboard in their main Facebook iOS and Android app

How to Get Started

Every child account on Messenger Kids must be set up by a parent. For parents, setting your child up with a Messenger Kids account is done in four steps:

• Download: First, download the Messenger Kids app on your child’s iPad, iPod touch, or iPhone. Messenger Kids will also be available in the Google Play Store and on Android devices.

• Authenticate: Then, authenticate your child’s device using your own Facebook username and password. This will not create a Facebook account for your child or give them access to your Facebook account.

• Create an account: Finish the setup process by creating an account for your child, where you’ll provide their name and opt-in to any additional features. The device can then be handed over to the child so they can start chatting with family and friends.

• Add contacts: To add people to your child’s contact list, go to the Messenger Kids Parent Dashboard panel in your main Facebook app. To get there, click on “More” on the bottom right corner in your main Facebook app, and click “Messenger Kids” in the Explore section.

More Information and What’s Next

There are no ads in Messenger Kids and your child’s information isn’t used for ads. It is free to download and there are no in-app purchases. Messenger Kids is also designed to be compliant with the Children’s Online Privacy and Protection Act (COPPA).

We continue to work with parents, safety and security experts to improve Messenger Kids and today we have also announced new ways to help parents connect kids with their friends.

For more specific information about the app, visit messengerkids.com.

For the latest on how to use Messenger Kids, visit our Help Center

Samantha Ashley Lo and Sam Ajdani Century Tuna Everybod Superbod 2020 Grand Winners and #StayStrong Champions

A strong finish:  Nursing student and fitness coach hailed as
Century Tuna Everybod Superbod 2020 winners

In a landmark event hailed as a strong and successful finish amid the pandemic, Century Tuna Superbods 2020 named nursing student and ESL instructor Samantha Ashley Lo and fitness coach and professional model Sam Ajdani as the Century Tuna Everybod Superbod title holders. The most anticipated health and fitness event of the year was also a momentous occasion as it set the standards for future online events in the new normal. 

Held at the Blue Leaf Cosmopolitan in Quezon City, the finals event followed strict adherence to the FDCP-DOH-DOLE safety protocols for film and audio-visual shoots.

“We needed to rise up to the challenge. We knew it was going to be tough but we stayed focused and if we’re able to pull this off successfully then at least we are able to provide a template for the industry to learn from and use. We soldiered on despite the challenges to show that it can be done,” said Century Pacific Food Inc. EVP & COO Greg Banzon. He also added, “It’s important to stage the event to provide inspiration and a good benchmark for the country to put health, wellness and fitness as the top priority.”

The success of the event amid the pandemic made their victory even more memorable for both Samantha (27) and Sam (30). Sam, who is a professional commercial model, admitted that one of the most challenging part of the competition was trying to stay healthy given the restrictions of the pandemic.   Meanwhile, Samantha, who is a former Miss Grand International Philippines winner, had to strengthen her focus and remain creative in her home workouts, even when she could not go the gym. Their persistence and commitment to stay strong and focused paid off when they were proclaimed winners of the biggest health and fitness competition in the country.

Samantha and Sam bested 25 other Superbods candidates and will each take home Php 500,000 tax-free cash and other amazing prizes. Both winners passed rigorous digital challenges required during the competition to emerge as the new ambassadors of Century Tuna Superbods 2020—health and fitness advocates who are passionate in promoting health and wellness as an everyday commitment especially during these trying times. They are also exceptional individuals who remain optimistic and believe in getting back up again even after falling so many times.

Meanwhile, the runners-up were Superbod 2020 Stunner Candice Ramos and Superbod 2020 Ageless Erie Matic. Other candidates who took home special awards were Shirley Garcia, Zai Ebido, Enzo Bonoan, Samantha Purvor, Philippe Magalona, Nelson Banzuela, Key Trajano, Albert Lorenzo, and Grace Del Rosario.

The 25 finalists were all strong contenders, showcasing inspiring traits and skills to encourage themselves and their fellow Filipinos to keep going, and remain healthy and strong during these trying times.

The finalists were judged by a distinguished panel of judges. Joining Century Pacific Food Inc. EVP & COO Greg Banzon, Century Tuna marketing director Carlo Endaya, triathlete and SEA Games gold medalist Nikko Huelgas, GMA Network senior assistant vice president for alternative productions Gigi Santiago-Lara, Isabelle Daza, Alice Dixson, Sarah Lahbati, Ina Raymundo, and DJ Toni Tony.

The health and fitness competition was relaunched last July 25 with a more inclusive and relevant #StayStrongPilipinas theme. To signal its resumption, Century Tuna released a rousing video via its official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/centurytuna), featuring Century Tuna celebrity ambassadors Nadine Lustre and Alden Richards with the Superbods finalists urging everyone to stay strong and to continue pursuing their dreams of a healthier future through proper diet and exercise.

To relive the “Century Tuna EverybodSuperbod 2020” finals, visit and follow Century Tuna’s Facebook page, @centurytuna or Instagram @centurytunasuperbods.

The Sagada Harvest Project

Why Igorots in Metro Manila directly source goods from farmers 

Two pesos a kilo for cabbage. Four pesos for cucumber.

After spending to bring their produce to the nearest vegetable trading post in the last week of July, Cordilleran farmers were given a cruel rate, crushing their hope of raising cash to buy seeds for the next harvest. 

A Sad Story for New Gen Farmers

Shereen Umayat and Jessica Dapliyan, two young farmers from Sagada, had a cheaper option for their next maturing vegetables- let the plants rot in the farmland to stop having additional expenses. 

Asked how much she has spent for her cucumber, Umayat computed it to be at least P40, 000.

While there are active programs like Sustainable Sagada and Rural Rising organized to help ease the situation, not all produce in the remote Mountain Province town can be accommodated.

Dapliyan, a former innkeeper who shifted to farming following travel bans, started giving away her cabbage produce for free in September after unsuccessful attempts to sell what her family has been working since community quarantine restrictions were implemented. 

The Sagada Harvest Project

Trying the Metro Manila Market 

For generations, farmers in Sagada and other towns of the Cordilleras have been trading in marketplaces within the mountainous region and going to the lowlands is not part of their regular routine. But as they run out of options, they are forced to seek help outside the highlands.

Tapping Metro Manila-based Cordillerans or Igorots was the first move. Upon learning about the crisis, Christian Aligo, a Marketing Communications practitioner living in Quezon City, started the “The Sagada Harvests Project” on Facebook. 

With the assistance from Umayat, Menchie Buking of the Department of Agrarian Reform Mt. Province (DAR MP) and other concerned locals, The Sagada Harvests Project is able to sell out about three tons of produce in its first two runs.

Alongside Aligo are other Metro Manila-based Igorots including Luisa Gay Pugong, Jenny Lyn Likigan, Bing Podes Laguipen, and Hector Ngales who transformed themselves into vendors after their day job to help address the crisis.

Joining the force is the couple Atty. Pio and Noemie Jeanet Daoas who now spend their weekends on vegetables. With the help of dedicated riders, the couple deliver the goods within Taguig City at only P20. 

The Sagada Harvest Project

A Trade Friendlier to Farmers

As agreed, it is the farmers who set the price of their produce. Currently in marketplaces, it is the multi-level middle men who dictate the price and get a bigger portion of it.

When the rate at the La Trinidad trading post for cabbage was P2 per kilo, The Sagada Harvests Project purchased the vegetable at P20 per kilo-- as dictated by the farmers.

To further assist the Igorot vendors, DAR’s Sagada Linksfarmers Consolidation Center opened its doors to help screen quality produce prior to shipping. 

Recently, the regional office of the Department of Agriculture (DA) also offered transportation assistance to help lower expenses.

Meanwhile, local food producers Gabay Wines and Food Preserves and Masferre Country Inn & Restaurant have been doing experiments for delicate items like wild blueberry, wheat bread, and goat cheese products to check on the shelf-life of the products when offered in places with a warmer climate.

To know more about The Sagada Harvest Project and a list of Igorot vendors who directly source their goods from farmers, contact Aligo at 0956-174-8464 (Globe) or visit www.facebook.com/sagadaharvests now.

The new Blackwater Bossing jersey illustration by Ren Corporal

UNIQLO LIfe Wear

During this time, we browse our computer or smartphone to check the latest in the fashion industry. Though, some of us exactly know what to look for and what to do and wear the perfect pair for themselves.

UNIQLO launches the 2020 Fall / Winter Collection that offers a wide variety of LifeWear clothing—from everyday casual wear to essential items—all aimed to provide comfort and improve the lives of everyone. 

The theme is Outdoors, Works and Craft, and Arts and Design.

UNIQLO FALL/WINTER 2020 

UNIQLO LifeWear clothing is designed to improve the everyday life of everyone. Conceived thoughtfully with people's changing needs in mind, LifeWear adheres to a promise of continual progress towards something better. LifeWear clothing features the highest-quality materials, modern elegant lines, and superior comfort: all aimed to provide ease when staying at home or doing daily tasks, to help stay stress-free when working, and to give support in keeping active and healthy.

 

  

 

  

AIRism

UNIQLO AIRism has comfort conditioning technology, which wicks away moisture, releases heat and absorbs sweat that provides maximum comfort. This season, UNIQLO showcases its complete range of AIRism, with pieces for men, women, kids and babies.  The collection is made perfectly for one mile wear, for working at home, and for staying healthy and active at home or outdoors.

SPORT UTILITY WEAR

Clothes with functionality and design that can be used seamlessly from everyday life to staying active. The Sport Utility Wear lineup is made to be worn as one mile wear, comfort work wear worn at home, and for staying healthy and active.

DRY-EX

Ultra quick drying functionality that provides comfort for those who want to stay healthy and active whether at home or outdoors.

ULTRA STRETCH

Includes 360-degree stretch fabric that expands and contracts as you move for a comfy fit. It allows you to move and stretch, without feeling restricted.

BOTTOMS

SMART ANKLE PANTS

These pieces are comfortable and stylish, perfect for any lifestyle. The fabric stretches vertically and horizontally with the 2-way stretch function, while resisting wrinkles for easy care.

*Not all men’s Smart Pants use 2-way stretch and easy care materials.

JEANS

These items have remained loyal to their roots while evolving, by taking advantage of innovative technologies. UNIQLO has worked closely with the Jeans Innovation Center in Los Angeles to explore sustainable fabrics and create advanced jeans that deliver even greater quality and comfort

Using the latest technology, UNIQLO has enhanced women’s Jeans to make them snug and flattering to the wearer by focusing particularly on the fit, silhouette, and color variations. Men’s Jeans meanwhile are made of authentic denim yet they are so comfortable to wear. They are available in a range of patterns to accommodate diverse tastes.

ULTRA STRETCH JEANS

Men’s and women’s Ultra Stretch Jeans have been updated to make them incredibly comfortable without compromising their authenticity. The fabric is more elastic to ensure ultimate stress-free wear.

STRAIGHT JEANS

New this season, Straight Jeans for both men and women are designed to make the legs look longer. The silhouette is straight from the waist down, for modern and refined styling. Men’s dark jeans feature 100% selvage denim from its partner Kaihara Corporation, for a contemporary look.

MEN AND WOMEN’S SHORT PANTS

Shorts pants are made for everyone and for any occasion - as comfort one mile wear, comfort work wear and when running errands. Available in a variety of length, design and materials such as denim, linen, cotton, satin, dry stretch, chino, jersey and kando.

T-SHIRTS

UNIQLO offers an extensive line-up of T-shirts with different silhouettes, textures and colors. These include shirts of varying sleeve lengths, fit for any style as comfort one mile wear, comfort work wear at home and everyday wear.

DRESSES

Dresses by UNIQLO are also available in different silhouettes, lengths, and colors, perfect for casual or smart wear. Like the Mercerized Cotton Dress, it is made with 100% cotton giving that high quality and stylish look, perfect for all day wear, from working from home or running errands.

OUTERWEAR

UNIQLO offers everything from on-trend casual items to functional activewear, to cater to diverse lifestyles and choices, and to meet the new needs.

Women

Must-have casual pieces are everyday parkas such as Pocketable and Blocktech, as well as textured suede jackets and tailored tweed jackets with a masculine touch for stylish pieces.

Men

Jackets for both casual and business occasions include parkas, classic tailored and corduroy items. The washed jersey work jackets are perfect for this season.

Blocktech

Blocktech is designed for versatility and reliability. It offers breathable performance and it is made with seamless bonding technology. These coats and parkas feature a stitch-free construction that keeps errant water from seeping between seams and they are also fitted with a protective laminate film designed to shield wearer from the winds.

Pocketable

Compact and easy to carry around, the pocketable parka allows you to keep covered and protected at any given moment. It has water-repellent coating that repels light rain and UV ray protection (UPF40).

HEATTECH

In 2003, UNIQLO introduced HEATTECH based on innovative technology developed with its partner, Toray Industries. Since then, numerous features have been added to this warm innerwear. For 20FW, plastic packaging has been replaced, with some exceptions, by more sustainable paper alternatives

Women

For this season, colors, patterns, and designs have been updated to give more outfit coordination choices. For example, the neckline on crew neck items has been tightened, or our popular HEATTECH Ballet Neck T-Shirts and HEATTECH Bra Tops now have a lace version. In response to popular demand the HEATTECH Waist Warmers and HEATTECH Body Shaper Bra Tops and Shorts would be made available again this season.

Men

This season’s clothing offers a myriad of vibrant colors. The Extra Warm collection meanwhile now offers items with a deep gray color.  Other highlights in this collection include long sleeved Ultra Warm pieces (in replacement of the half sleeved Ultra Warm versions) and Turtleneck and crew neck shirts made available in five hues.

DOWN

Down jackets are warm, functional, and stylish, and are continually evolving. UNIQLO introduces its line of Ultra Light Down jackets with witty prints and seasonal designs. New hues for women’s jackets include plum, green, and lemon-yellow.

Hybrid down jackets are a step beyond regular down outerwear and feature enhanced designs and functionality. UNIQLO has added detachable hoods to women’s coats and pinched the waists on down jackets to create a more elegant look. For the men, the new line of parkas enables the wearer to move around easily, and the coats have become lighter, following a detailed design review. Men’s seamless down jackets incorporate a new three-dimensional design that does not restrict arm movements.

UNIQLO’s down recycle program, which started from September 2019, to last until March 2020, has so far collected 620,000 pieces of down outerwear. The collected down will be reused as part of new recycled down products from this season.

Arts and Design

  

  

 

  

  

 

 

Through Goal Getter's online service, you can get started right in the comfort and safety of your own home and be on your way to achieving your goals.

AXA capitalizes on tech to help customers achieve their goals

As the country adapts to the new normal, AXA Philippines, one of the country’s leading insurance providers, has embedded tech processes for their new product, Goal Getter, to provide convenience in achieving one’s goals amid the COVID-19 health crisis and community quarantine.

"Technology has helped individuals and businesses alike as the country adapts to the new normal. At AXA Philippines, we continue to shift our efforts and services to a modern platform so people can still build financial plans and secure their future even as we face uncertainties due to the current pandemic,” said AXA Philippines president and CEO Rahul Hora.

Goal Getter is an investment and life insurance plan that helps you build your funds so you can achieve financial independence and realize your goals, whether it’s starting a small business, getting a car or condominium, or pursuing a post-graduate degree. It is readily available online so no need to meet with an agent. You can get started right in the comfort and safety of your own home and be on your way to achieving your goals in three easy steps.

Through Goal Getter's online service, you can personalize your investment, enter your information, and pay. You can start with an initial payment of as low as Php10,000 and keep adding to it with as little as Php5,000 monthly top-ups.

Customers can choose to invest in either the Philippine Wealth Bond Fund or Chinese Tycoon Fund depending on their risk appetite. Goal Getter allows policyholders the freedom to choose how much and how long they want to build their savings fund for their specific life goals.

Since AXA Philippines is committed to provide the best protection for its customers and their families, Goal Getter also comes with life insurance coverage. The policyholder’s beneficiaries may receive 125 percent of the total premiums paid or the actual account value, whichever is higher.

After months of staying at home, perhaps it is time for you to get back on track of achieving your goals and all it takes is a few clicks.

To learn more about AXA Goal Getter, visit https://www.axa.com.ph/goalgetter

Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino (LMP) 2020 Calendar of Events

‘Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino’ rocks the new normal with first digital music fest in Philippines 

 

Linggo Ng Musikang Pilipino (LMP) continues its commitment to promoting Filipino music in varied forms and functions through its maiden online edition. 

Considered as the first digital music festival in the country, LMP brings the stage at the comforts of your home with an inclusive and diverse programming that fits the new normal setup. 

The virtual festival is slated to take place from August 19 to 28, 2020, featuring a multi-format showcase spanning music performances, busking sessions, single and album launches, concerts, workshops, creative webinars, talks, and more.

Enduring optimism

This year’s celebration sets its sights on the theme, “Musikang Pinoy. Buhay At Ipagpatuloy,” as a response to the Philippine music industry’s enduring power to rise above extraordinary times and hurdle the challenges of the pandemic with the spirit of bayanihan. 

“Now on its 6th year, though it is still in its infancy, LMP is continuously building a strong foundation in the creation of a tradition that would instill in the consciousness of every Filipino to, not only patronize, but embrace, love, and live our own music,” LMP Festival Director and OPM Board Member Noel Cabangon shares in a statement. 

Presented by Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), PhilPop Music Foundation, and Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), the annual music festival is part of the local government’s ongoing pledge to promote and develop the local music industry through the creation of Linggo ng Musikang Pilipino (LMP), which was granted by the Presidential Proclamation 933 in 2014.

Multi-format showcase

The music celebration will kick off with #LMP2020Launch, a virtual press conference happening on August 19, and will continue with #TugtuganNewNormal, which will be streamed live on OPM’s Facebook page from August 22 to 28. Under this newly revamped format, up and coming artists are given the opportunity to perform their material, launch their new singles and albums, and interact with a live audience.

Expect a variety of performances with #LMP2020Sessions, a special initiative of LMP to highlight regional music acts from North and South Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.

LMP will be mounting music workshops and webinars for aspiring music industry professionals, amateur musicians, and music fans. Learn from the top industry figures about different topics like songwriting, history of pop, and many more. Guest speakers include Ebe Dancel and Jazz Nicolas for Songwriting Workshop, Marlon Barnuevo for Home Recording Workshop, Tina Dumlao and Mr. Ryan Cayabyab for History of Pop OPM, Bian Orenciana of Believe Digital and Ian Monson of Warner Music Philippines for Digital Marketing for Music Artists, and PETA for Let's Get Creative Webinar.

A digital press conference for the launch of OPM Archive will also take place on August 26, as well as an open mic competition where anyone can submit OPM covers.

Wrap up your virtual festival experience with world-class performances courtesy of #LMP2020GrandFinaleConcert. The online event will be headlined by some of your favorite Filipino music acts: Christian Bautista, Noel Cabangon, The Itchyworms, This Band, Bayang Barrios at Ang Nilayagan, Clara Benin, Lara Maigue, and Aikee.

For more details about the LMP’s digital music festival, visit its official website.